Officials Warn Parents After Teen Attempting 'Fire-Breathing' Challenge Suffers Life-Altering Injuries

Parents have been urged to keep a closer eye on what their children are doing online after a 14-year-old girl ended up in the hospital while attempting a dangerous “fire-breathing” challenge that has circulated on social media.

The teenager was taken to the hospital with what officials described as life-altering injuries after drinking rubbing alcohol inside an apartment complex in Pitcairn, near Pittsburgh. Wilmerding Fire Marshal Al Hussey explained what had happened during the incident.

The substance involved, isopropyl alcohol, is a clear and highly flammable liquid. People normally use it for cleaning electronics, disinfecting surfaces, and treating small cuts or wounds.

Investigators believe the girl was trying to copy a social media stunt where people attempt to create flames by blowing alcohol through their mouths toward a lighter or flame source.

The attempt went terribly wrong. According to reports from WTAE, the teenager suffered serious burns across roughly eight percent of her body, including injuries to her face, neck, and chest.

She is currently receiving treatment while intubated at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, according to information reported by the New York Post.

The teen was believed to have been copying a social media trend Stock photo - Tomazl/Getty Images

Pitcairn Fire Chief Tommy Dick explained that the outcome could have been even worse and said the teenager was fortunate to survive the incident.

He warned that the flames could easily have traveled into her digestive tract, which could have been fatal.

"We are not meant to breathe fire as human beings," Hussey added. "First and foremost, you can lose your life. Second, you can have life-altering injuries to your appearance."

"Third, you could injure others in a building where you're in, or a room, or the home."

"It's not a very smart thing for anybody to do, let alone children," Dick agreed. "It's supposed to be for cleaning off wounds and cuts and stuff, not ingesting and trying to blow fire."

He continued by stressing that young people should not attempt risky challenges simply because they see them circulating on social media platforms.

Dick also encouraged parents to talk openly with their children about fire safety and to stay involved in their daily lives so they can understand what their kids are exposed to online.

The teen is being treated in hospital Aimintang/Getty Images

Hussey also urged parents to be aware of what chemicals are kept inside their homes and how easily children might access them. He explained the risks while saying: "If they're doing their hair with chemicals, if they're taking isopropyl alcohol in the room, or any type of fingernail polish remover. Obviously, monitor your lighters and your matches and educate your children."

Stories of children getting injured or even losing their lives while attempting viral internet challenges appear to be increasing in recent years.

Earlier this month, reports described how a nine-year-old boy in Illinois suffered burns to his face after placing a Needoh Nice Cube, a popular sensory fidget toy, inside a microwave.

The boy, Caleb Chabolla, was rushed to the emergency room where doctors had to remove the melted material and treat his injuries.

He suffered burns on his face, hands, and ears during the incident.

Caleb later explained that he had attempted the experiment after hearing about a TikTok trend from one of his friends.

Parents are being urged to keep a close eye on their children Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

In another tragic case in the UK, a 13-year-old girl died after she was believed to have inhaled at least one can of deodorant while attempting an online trend known as chroming.

The teenager, Tiegan Jarman, was found unresponsive in her bedroom at her family home in Leicestershire.

Her father, Paul Jarman, described the heartbreaking loss of his daughter and said: "She was the most loving, daring girl ever. She was warm, she was funny, she was quirky. She had a great laugh - and she made me laugh."

"My life was twisted upside down when she died, and I have to keep strong and carry on. She used to always call me Pookie. It's just the funny little stuff."

Her family has since spoken publicly about the dangers connected to viral social media trends. They hope that sharing her story will help raise awareness and prevent other families from going through the same tragedy.